Though it may seem like a contemporary dish, people have been perfecting the art of how to make potato salad for literally hundreds of years--early recipes date back to at least the 16th century. European settlers introduced potato salad to America, and different recipes reflect how the dish evolved and varied to reflect regional cuisines and preferences. For instance, German potato salad is served warm and includes bits of bacon, whereas cold potato salad--the more popular variety in the United States--follows English and French traditions.